Sony/BMG Elvis Overview for 2005

Following is a press release from Sony/BMG with a round-up of their Elvis activities for 2005 -- their Elvis record releases and their partnership with EPE on several entertainment projects.

ELVIS PRESLEY:

On 70th Anniversary of His Birthday, King of Rock & Roll is More Popular Than Ever

Box Set of U.S. #1 Singles; and

2-CD 'Elvis By The Presleys' Soundtrack Coming from SONY BMG

Elvis Presley is still a newsmaker in 2005. A spate of albums, reissued singles, TV specials, and newspaper articles testify to Presley's continuing popularity. The 70th Anniversary of Elvis Presley's Birthday (8th January, 1935) has seen massive recognition across the board.

"Elvis irrevocably changed rock history with his voice, his guitar, and his hips. He's the true King of Rock and Roll and a whole new generation is discovering him in 2005," says Joe DiMuro, Executive Vice President and General Manager of SONY BMG Strategic Marketing Group, Presley's musical home. Both long-time Elvis fans and newcomers have plenty of new projects to enjoy.

Here are some examples:

- SONY BMG has embarked on the most ambitious singles release campaign in the history of the U.K. record industry. All 18 of Elvis Presley’s U.K. #1 singles are being reissued over 17 consecutive weeks, from January 3, 2005 and ending on April 25, 2005. Thus far in 2005, "Jailhouse Rock," "It's Now Or Never," and "One Night" have all catapulted to #1 on the singles chart; "One Night" was the 1000th #1 in the history of the U.K. chart.

- SONY BMG Strategic Marketing Group has announced a box set of Elvis' U.S. #1 singles to be released this fall . Featuring signature hits such as "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock," and "Love Me Tender," this collection promises to please both casual and devoted Elvis fans. The set will include original artwork in a stunning package. See bottom for Presley's U.S. #1s.

- CBS will air six hours of Elvis programming all over one week in May, including the premier of "Elvis By The Presleys" on May 13 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). The two-hour special features a collection of newly recorded interviews with his former wife, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, and their daughter, Lisa Marie Presley told only the way a family could. Exclusive never-before-seen television performances, photographs from the Presley Estate archives and Presley family home movies will be broadcast for the first time in an intimate look at the King.

- A four-hour miniseries, "ELVIS" is set to air May 8 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) and May 11 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on CBS. 'ELVIS' will tell Presley's electrifying yet tumultuous story -- from his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise to fame. The fact-based drama is being produced with the full co-operation and participation of the Elvis Presley Estate and is the first time that Presley's master recordings will be heard in a biographical film. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers ("Bend It Like Beckham," "Alexander") will portray Elvis.

- Crown Publishers, a division of Random House, Inc., will publish a book, also titled "Elvis by the Presleys." Along with interviews with Priscilla and Lisa Marie, taken from the CBS special, the book will include a lavish collection of personal photos, memorabilia, hand-written notes selections from scrapbooks and previously unseen shots of Graceland from the Elvis archives. It will be in stores on May 3.

- SONY BMG Strategic Marketing Group will release the 'Elvis By The Presleys' soundtrack collection in May. The two CDs will include tracks from the special, Elvis’ favorites, and family picks by Priscilla and Lisa Marie as well as rare, previously unreleased cuts and outtakes.

- In January SONY BMG Strategic Marketing Group reissued Elvis’ first three releases including expanded artwork and bonus tracks. The Los Angeles Times recently featured an extended thinkpiece on the 1956 album 'Elvis Presley' (SONY BMG). Robert Hilburn called the album "a revelation," going on to write, "you still marvel at Presley's bold approach -- and the youthful assurance of that stirring voice, which mixes pop crooning with renegade country and R&B spirit."

- In January SONY BMG Strategic Marketing Group also released “Love, Elvis” which brings together twenty-four of Elvis' greatest romantic songs, including a previously unreleased alternate take of "For The Good Times. This release debuted its first week on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart.

- Elvis has climbed the charts, he’s conquered TV and now, this May, he takes over Broadway. At the beginning of May SONY BMG Strategic Marketing Group will release the cast recording soundtrack to “All Shook Up” - a brand new Broadway musical featuring 26 of Elvis’ hits.

Elvis Presley's US #1's are:

Heartbreak Hotel

I Want You, I Need You, I Love You

Hound Dog

Don’t Be Cruel

Love Me Tender

Too Much

All Shook Up

(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear

Jailhouse Rock

Don’t

Hard Headed Woman

A Big Hunk O’ Love

Stuck On You

It’s Now Or Never

Are You Lonesome Tonight?

Surrender

Good Luck Charm

Suspicious Minds

Burning Love

A Little Less Conversation (Remix 2002).

(News, Source: EPE, 22 Feb 2005)